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Reflections of Autistic Adults on Employment Preparation Programs: A Qualitative Analysis
Jena K Randolph1, Jaclyn Benigno2, Maia Z Markollari3
1Department of Special Education, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation
|May 15, 2025
Summary
Autistic adults found employment preparation programs helpful for job skills and experience. However, challenges remain in peer relationships and job coach involvement, highlighting areas for program improvement.
Area of Science:
- Neurodiversity and Employment
- Vocational Rehabilitation
- Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
Background:
- Autistic adults encounter substantial employment barriers.
- Existing transition programs often lack direct input from autistic individuals.
- Understanding autistic adults' lived experiences is crucial for effective support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the experiences of autistic adults post-employment preparation program.
- To identify unmet needs within existing transition services.
- To evaluate the impact of programs on employment outcomes for autistic adults.
Main Methods:
- Semi-structured interviews with 16 autistic adults.
- Inductive thematic analysis of qualitative data.
- Descriptive statistics for demographic and quantitative data.
Main Results:
- High participant satisfaction with programs and improved job attainment.
- Key themes: Job Skills, Experience/Coaching, Peer Relationships, Goal Setting.
- Benefits included enhanced job skills and socialization; challenges involved peer relations and job coach intensity.
Conclusions:
- Employment preparation programs offer significant benefits but have limitations for autistic adults.
- Findings provide actionable insights for refining future programs and personnel training.
- Enhancing services requires addressing identified challenges in peer support and coaching dynamics.
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